Water Advisory Panel Created In Edison

EDISON, NJ — A ten-person Water Advisory Panel has officially been created in Edison, a month after voters pushed to keep the water system public.

The panel was required following a special election where voters agreed to keep the water system public in Edison, and to bar any privatization of the water system, including the involvement of Suez. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of retaining public control.

"I have appointed a Water Advisory Committee to help guide our path forward and to
collectively brainstorm ways for Edison to organize and manage its reconstituted water utility,"
Mayor Lankey said.

About 12,000 South Edison residents and businesses will be affected by the new water management plan.

Several Township employees were appointed to the panel: Business Administrator Maureen Ruane; Administrator of Planning and Strategic Initiatives Melissa Perilstein; attorney Joseph Baumann Jr.. Three elected officials were appointed: Council President Alvaro Gomez; Councilmen Ajay Patil and Robert Diehl. Four residents were appointed: Keith Hahn, Anthony DeAmorin, Tarendra Lakhankar and Biral Patel.

Hahn and DeAmorin were key players in the opposition to a proposed deal with Suez earlier this year, including spearheading the petition that forced the election. Hahn is a member of the Edison Police Department, while DeAmorin is a current candidate for Board of Education.